Intellectual Property and Transfer of Innovation in Biotechnology

Abstract

Intellectual property biotechnology, with special emphasis on biotech patents, is considered a strong tool in the development of biotechnological RandD and biotech industry. In the European patent system, more than 50% of the granted biotech patents cover pharmaceutical products, around 40% refer to industrial processes in biotechnology, and the rest are patents granted for application of biotechnology in agriculture and environmental protection. The authors propose to reveal specific insights into patenting biotechnological inventions, according to the European Patent System, emphasizing what can be protected or not protected by patents in the area of biotechnology, considering the legislation in force in this field, and ethical and moral disputes on this subject. The authors give special attention to aspects regarding the transfer of innovation in biotechnology, referring to its very specific problems and how intellectual property could interfere with facilitating this transfer of knowledge.